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ALICE LOTHERINGTON 




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jflowet Songs 

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BY 
ALICE LOTHERINGTON 

M 

Author of * 'Tales Told in a Menagerie"; Contributor 
to '*Fifty Stories for Little Folks," etc. 




BOSTON 

SHERMAN, FRENCH <&• COMPANY 

1914 






Copyright^ 1914 
Sherman, French & Company 



/ 



NOV 30 1914'' 

©CI.A387742 



TO 

MY MOTHER 



CONTENTS 

PAGE 

Annunciation Hymn 1 

Slumberland 2 

Little Things 3 

The Child's Home 5 

Snowflakes 6 

Arbor Day 7 

We Learn by Doing 8 

Why Sarah was not Promoted .... 9 

Baby Sue H 

The Birds' Nests 12 

Planting the Maple Tree 14< 

May Song 16 

Thanksgiving Thoughts 17 

November 18 

Thanksgiving Day at Grandpa's ... 20 

Seasons' Flowers .... ... 22 

The Dandelion 23 

Arbor Day 24 

The Daisy 26 

Spring Flowers 27 

A Note to Santa Claus 28 

Santa's Telephone Message 30 

Clover 22 

Winter 33 

Jack Frost 34 

The Raindrops S5 

Sunbeams 36 

The Sun's Children 37 

The Raindrop Story 39 

The Stars 41 

The Moonbeams 42 

Easter 44 

Rest 45 



ANNUNCIATION HYMN 

Swift from heaven's cloudless portals 

Sped the angel Gabriel, 

Sent by God to lowly maiden, 

Wondrous tidings her to tell. 

" Hail ! Thou blessed among women, 

Chosen mother of God's Son, 

Favor thou hast found in heaven; 

Fear not. Hail! Thou blessed one. 

" To thee will a son be given ; 
Jesus, thou shalt call His name. 
Of no end shall be His kingdom ; 
Over heaven and earth He'll reign. 
He shall be Son of the Highest ; 
God shall give Him David's throne; 
Jacob's house He'll rule forever. 
Hail ! Oh, hail ! Thou blessed one." 



[1] 



SLUMBERLAND 

See, the sun has gone to rest 
In the clouds far down the west, 
And each little star so bright 
Hangs aloft its tiny light. 
Under mother's wings so warm 
Sleep the chickies, safe from harm ; 
While in yonder cosy nest 
Little birdies go to rest. 

Little darling, take thy rest. 
Nestled close to mama's breast. 
Here, in mama's arms so warm, 
Sleep, my baby, safe from harm. 
Slowly o'er those eyes of brown 
Droop the snowy eyelids down ; 
See, the babe has joined the band. 
And is off to Slumberland. 



[2] 



LITTLE THINGS 

Despise not little things, my friend, 

But always give them heed. 
The flower that makes your garden bright 

Came from a tiny seed ; 
The mighty oak, which to and fro 

Its branches great will toss. 
Was but a little acorn once, 

Buried 'neath earth and moss. 

The rain, sent down from heaven above 

In most refreshing showers. 
Comes pattering gently, drop by drop. 

To thirsty grass and flowers ; 
The snow comes softly, flake by flake. 

In feathery forms so white. 
And over all the earth she throws 

A cover warm and light. 

The spire that reaches to the sky. 

Stone upon stone is laid ; 
The coral island in the sea 

By insects small is made. 
Of drops are formed the ocean's waves 

That beat upon the strand ; 
The shore that is by ocean washed, 

Is only grains of sand. 

Perhaps one little word from you 
May cause life to look bright, 
[8] 



A little act of kindness make 

A brother's burden light. 
A tear dropped for a sorrowing friend 

May help to heal and cheer, 
A smile will scatter sunshine 

On someone's path so drear. 



[4] 



THE CHILD'S HOME 

Far out beyond the dark blue sky, 
Beyond the stars that shine like gold, 
A home for little children lies. 
Built safe within the Shepherd's fold. 

The Shepherd gives them loving care. 
Guides them to living waters sweet ; 
And there, in pastures green and fair, 
He leads their tired little feet. 

And kindly to His gentle breast 
He folds them with a loving arm. 
So they may safely go to rest 
Away from sin and safe from harm. 

And your little ones await you 
There, safe within that fold above. 
Wait with joy to bid you welcome 
To that dear home of peace and love. 



[5] 



SNOWFLAKES 

Tiny little snowflakes 
Floating on the breeze ; 
Covering the bushes, 
Grasses, shrubs, and trees ; 
Powdering the fences ; 
Turning ground so white ; 
Making little children's 
Eyes dance with delight. 

Noiseless little snowflakes, 
While we sleep at night 
Coming down so softly 
All in dazzling white : 
Stealing through the shutter ; 
Melting on the pane ; 
Telling us that winter 
Has come once again. 

Useful little snowflakes, 
With your mantle white 
Cov'ring root and rootlet. 
Warm and out of sight 
Till the little bluebird 
Sings its merry lay. 
Telling us 'tis springtime, 
Winter's gone away. 



[6] 



ARBOR DAY 

Fair April came to Mother Earth, 

And brought her silvery showers. 

She whispered, " Come ! I bring the spring ; 

Wake up your buds and flowers ; 

Sweet snowdrops came with lengthening days 

And nestled 'neath the snow, 

While bluebird sang his greeting gay 

Almost a month ago. 

" Come, crocus, heartsease, tulip bright ; 

And haste, you violet blue; 

Come, come, you grasses, buds, and leaves ; 

We want you, daffy, too, — 

To scatter fields and woods and hills 

With leaves and blossoms gay, 

For don't 3rou know sweet May is near, 

And with her Arbor Day ? 

" More flowers, buds, and birds she'll bring 

With her this happy May, 

And children o'er the country wide 

Will gather Arbor Day 

To plant in garden, park, and lawn, 

Mid speech and songs so merry, 

The linden, maple, chestnut, oak. 

Pine, willow, ash and cherry." 



[7] 



WE LEARN BY DOING 

We learn by doing, little folks ; 
No matter what the work may be, 
Just try with all your might, and find 
How one by one your giants flee. 

Don't say, " I can't " before you try, 
But try and see Avhat you can do, 
For if you're helped by others, why, 
'Tis others do the work, not you. 

See happy bird in yonder tree, 
How soft and warm he builds his nest ; 
He asks no help from you and me. 
But tries to do his very best. 

And if like birdies, little ones. 
Your very best you try to do, 
You'll find how easy will become 
The tasks that seem so hard to you. 



[8] 



WHY SARAH WAS NOT PROMOTED 

" Is this Greenpoint 1841 ? 

Please send your sister Sue 

To 'phone. Hello! Is that you, dear? 

I wish to talk to you. 

" I hear you are promoted, Sue ; 
You're now in the 8 B. 
Well, well ; the luck some people have 
Is wonderful to me. 

" What? Me? Oh, no ; I am left back ; 
In 8 A I remain. 

And do you know, 'tis all the fault 
Of horrid Miss McLain? 

" What's that? Not study, did you say? 
I have no time to breathe; 
It's spelling, grammar, 'rithmetic, 
From mom to dewy eve. 

" Oh, yes ; in class I often have 
A good time, and annoy 
My teacher. But ' all work no play 
Makes Jackie a dull boy.' 

" My lessons oft I do not know ; 
Home work I fail to do ; 
My, my, the fuss my teacher makes, — 
It really makes me blue. 

[9] 



" I stay at home? Yes, every chance 
That offers, don't you fear. 
But tell me why you wish to ask 
So many questions, dear? 

" What's that you say ? It serves me right 

In 8 A to remain. 

You horrid thing, I'll never 'phone 

Or speak to you again." 



[10] 



BABY SUE 

Have you seen our baby Sue, — 
With her laughing eyes so blue, 
Pretty mouth, cheeks rosy red, 
Golden curls o'er her small head? 

Dimpled fingers, little thumbs, — 
Hear her clap when papa comes ; 
See her playing peek-a-boo. 
Looking o'er her hands at you. 

You should hear her laugh and crow, 
Kick her feet and want to go, 
If she sees of hat a sight, — 
Going out is Sue's delight. 

Mama calls her " Darling Sue." 
Baby answers, " Goo, Goo, Goo." 
Mama's joy and papa's, too. 
Is our darling baby Sue. 



[11] 



THE BIRDS' NESTS 

The robin builds her tiny nest 

In yonder apple tree, 
And lines it with soft moss and grass, 

So nice and warm 'twill be. 
Sweet oriole, her nest she weaves. 

Which on a branch is hung, 
Where to and fro from morn till night 

She by the wind is swung. 

The chimney swallow makes her home 

In chimney tall and grim. 
And plasters it outside with mud 

To make it snug within. 
The tailor bird a seamstress is, 

A nest from leaves she makes ; 
Her needle is her bill, her thread 

From other leaves she takes. 

The skylark builds upon the ground 

Her nest of moss and hair. 
Where safe from harm the little birds 

Rest safe 'neath mother's care. 
The woodpecker, her nest she bores 

In any withered tree. 
The hole she makes with her long bill,- 

A carpenter is she? 

'Tis God who teaches birds the art 
To build their nests so warm, 
[12] 



Where they may rest and sleep at night 

Quite safe from any harm. 
If God such care of birdies takes, 

What will He for you do 
Who all His little children are? 

He will take care of you. 



[18] 



PLANTING THE MAPLE TREE 

A GROUP of merry boys and girls 
Met one bright day in May 
To plant a tree deep in the ground, 
For it was Arbor Day. 

'Mid merry laughter, song, and jest. 
They plant a maple tree. 
And leave it there in hopes that it 
A stately tree will be. 

God sent his rain and sun from heav'n 
To help that maple grow ; 
To keep its roots from cold and frost 
He sent in winter, snow. 

Time passed ; the maple spread its boughs, 
A resting place it made 
For man and beast to pause a while 
Beneath its grateful shade. 

Among the branches sighed the winds. 
The birds sang joyfully. 
While happy children often romped 
Beneath that maple tree. 

Come, boys; come, girls; and let us plant, 
'Mid merry song and rhyme. 
The chestnut, willow, larch, and oak. 
Ash, maple, elm, and pine. 
[14] 



And though in after years to come 
We may be far away, 
The tree will stand to help mankind, 
We planted Arbor Day. 



tl5J 



MAY SONG 

Why do little birdies sing, 

Swinging in the trees? 

Why do lambkins skip and play, 

Happy, joyous, free? 

What's the song the rivulet 

Murmurs on its way ? 

Listen! Don't you hear it sing, 

"This is 'Merry May'"? 

In the garden nod the flowers. 

All in colors bright, — 

Bleeding heart and sweetest pinks. 

Dressed in red and white; 

Blossoms wave from shrub and tree. 

All so fresh and gay. 

Why does all the earth rejoice? 

Why? Because 'tis May. 

Daisies nestle in the grass, 
Clover decks the field ; 
Violets and daffodils 
Their sweet perfume yield; 
Sunbeams kiss both shrub and plant. 
Tell me, tell me, pray, 
Why does all the earth rejoice? 
Why? Because 'tis May. 



[16] 



THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS 

For all God's blessings, little ones, 

How thankful you should be, — 

For papa's, mama's, loving care. 

For friends and country, 

For food, for clothing, and for home. 

For sunshine and for rain. 

For flowers which make the world so bright, 

For fields of ripened grain, 

For merry birds on tree and bush 

Whose songs you love to hear, 

For snow that keeps the flowers warm 

All through the winter drear. 

For fruit and nuts now put away 

In storehouse and in bam 

That in the joyous harvest time 

Were gathered on the farm. 

And, oh ! Above all other things, 

You should so thankful be 

For health and senses to enjoy 

These blessings given thee. 



[17] 



NOVEMBER 

Old Father Time has brought again 

November, dark and drear: 

The chilly winds sigh mournfully; 

The grass is brown and sear; 

The frost unseen has come and touched 

The leaves with finger bold, 

And changed their dress of pretty green 

To crimson, brown, and gold. 

The birds have sought a warmer home; 
The flowers have gone to sleep. 
Except the gay chrysanthemum 
Which here and there you meet ; 
In leaden sky float dull gray clouds ; 
The leaves are scattered round; 
While nuts and acorns in the woods 
Are found upon the ground. 

The bee has gathered honey sweet; 
The ant has worked away 
To put into her storehouse food 
'Gainst Winter's dreary day. 
The husbandman has filled his barns, 
From orchard, field, and plain. 
With mellow fruit, nuts, pearly corn 
And sheaves of ripened grain. 

Yes, seed and harvest time are pa^t ; 
Once more we come and raise 
[18] 



To God our joyful, happy hearts 
In thankful prayer and praise. 
In lowly cot, in stately hall, 
In church with lofty dome. 
Thanksgiving, praise, and prayer ascend 
To God for Harvest Home. 



[19] 



THANKSGIVING DAY AT GRANDPA'S 

Once more Thanksgiving Day has come. 

The grain is in the barn ; 

The golden pumpkin, ripened fruit, 

Are gathered from the farm. 

The young folks and the old folks, too. 

Are happy, bright, and gay, 

Who gather in dear grandpa's home 

To keep Thanksgiving Day. 

There's Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Louise, 

Dear Uncle Ned, Aunt Sue, 

Big Cousin Jack, sweet baby Tom, 

John, Harry, May, and Lou ; 

All seated round the festive board. 

The happy family meet ; 

With thankful hearts and loving words, 

They one another greet. 

All day the children laugh and romp, 

A merry band are they 

Who meet in grandpa's dear old home 

To keep Thanksgiving Day. 

And when the evening shades draw near, 

And sun sinks in the west, 

The family draw near the fire 

To have a chat and rest, 

Kind Aunt Louise brings nuts and cake. 
Oh ! What a pleasant time 
[20] 



Is spent in telling wondrous tales 

'Mid laughter, song, and rhyme ; 

Then grandpa gently leads their thoughts 

To God, the King of Love, 

Who sends all blessings we enjoy. 

From heav'n. His home above. 

See ! Baby Tom begins to nod ; 

He's joined the sleepy band; 

Old Sand Man comes to carry off 

The rest to Slumberland. 

The wraps are brought ; farewells are said. 

" Dear children, hope and pray," 

Said grandpa, " that we all will meet 

On next Thanksgiving Day." 



[21] 



SEASONS' FLOWERS 

The joyous Spring will come to us 

And bring her flowers gay ; 

The snowdrop and the primrose fair 

She'll scatter on her way. 

With her she'll bring sweet violet, 

And pretty flag root blue, 

Meek daisy, crocus, bleeding heart, 

Cowslip, and tulip, too. 

Next balmy Summer comes to us. 
Her flowers bright to bring; 
Pinks, roses, lilies, columbine, 
Up at her touch will spring. 
Sweet pea, petunia, trumpet vine ; 
Larkspur, both pink and blue; 
While four o'clock she'll not forget. 
And morning glories, too. 

Then, after Summer Autumn comes, 
Ladened with flowers for you ; 
With asters, dahlias, marigolds. 
She will the garden strew. 
Chrysanthemums in colors gay 
Will in your garden nod, 
While over meadow, field, and plain, 
Will wave fair golden rod. 



[22] 



THE DANDELION 

When Spring her early blossoms strews 

O'er valley, field, and glade, 

Among the first comes dandelion, 

In yellow gown arrayed; 

All day she holds her bright face up, 

The sunbeams warm to greet, 

And when the sunbeams sink to rest 

She folds her petals neat. 

She grows among the grasses green, 

She nods beside the stream; 

O'er hillside, meadow, vale and plain, 

Her golden flow'rs are seen; 

The little children love to seek 

For dandelion fair, 

And make out of their slender stems, 

Chains for neck and hair. 

Soon dandelion her yellow gown 

Puts off for one of gray. 

Which little people love to blow 

To tell the time of day; 

The gentle breezes take this dress. 

Waft it o'er hill and plain ; 

It sinks from sight, but comes back soon 

To deck the fields again. 



[23] 



ARBOR DAY 

Spring to Earth 

Accept these offerings, Mother Earth, 
Which I lay at your feet, — 
March, April, May, I bring to you. 
All with their flowers sweet. 



MARCH 

The snowdrop, hid beneath the snow ; 
The pussy-willow, too ; 
The robin redbreast, gay bluebird, 
I bring, O Earth, to you. 

APRIL 

I bring to you, dear Mother Earth, 

The warm wind, and the showers 

That blow and patter merrily 

And call to life Spring flowers ; 

The daff'odil, the tulip gay, 

Crocus, and pansy fair. 

While creeping, creeping. Mother Earth, 

Come grasses everywhere. 

MAY 

And I, O Mother Earth, have come, 
My ofl'erings to bring; 

[24] 



Sweet blossoms of the month of May 

Up at my call do spring. 

Come, dandelion in yellow gown ; 

Come, modest violet blue. 

Come, buttercup and daisy meek ; 

I want you, sweet pink, too ; 

Come, trees, put on your leaves of green, 

Sweet blossoms, you appear. 

Hark ! Listen to the children sing 

That Arbor Day is here. 

SONG 

Hail to the Spring which brings to us 

The merry month of May, 

Which gives to us her blossoms sweet 

And also Arbor Day. 

We happy children bring our trees. 

Our shrubs, and flowers gay. 

To plant in garden, park, and lawn, 

To welcome Arbor Day. 

Hail ! Oh, hail ! To you, sweet month of May. 

You bring your trees, your shrubs, your flowers, 

And also Arbor Day. 



[25] 



THE DAISY 

In the wayside's scattered grass, 
Moss and hidden stone, 
With its pretty starlike flow'rs, 
Daisy grows alone. 

In the early morning hour 
Comes the sunbeam sweet, 
Gaily kisses daisy fair, 
Wakes her from her sleep. 

Sips the daisy of the dew 
Left upon the flowers. 
Drink for root and rootlet, too. 
In the morning hours. 

And when evening time appears 
Sunbeams go to rest, 
Daisy folds her petals white 
O'er her yellow breast. 

All night long in heaven bright stars 

Shine on daisy sweet, 

Who, amid the grasses, nods 

To and fro in sleep. 



[26] 



SPRING FLOWERS 

The gentle Spring has come again 

And brought her flowers sweet ; 

The crocus and the daff^odil 

Have wakened from their sleep ; 

The grass is springing from the ground, 

And buds on trees appear, 

While robin thrills its merry lay 

To tell us Spring is near. 

See yonder little dandelion. 
Shining so bright and fair 
Among its pretty leaves of green 
Amid the grasses there. 
O Dandelion in yellow gown, 
There nodding in the sun, 
You're telling all the little folks, 
" I'm here, and Spring has come." 

The buttercup in yonder field 

Holds petals to the sky 

That it may of the raindrops sip 

From showers passing by. 

And there, in yonder grassy nook, 

See violet so blue, 

Which says to every little child, 

" I've come with Springtime, too." 



[27] 



A NOTE TO SANTA CLAUS 

Upon a snowy Christmas eve 
The stockings hung in line ; 
Puss lay asleep upon the rug; 
The clock tick-tocked in rhyme; 
The pendulum swung to and fro ; 
The hands went round the face, 
And marked the minutes and the hours 
As they flew on apace. 

The clock had just struck out the hour 

And told the folks " All's well," 

When out upon the midnight clear 

Came merry sound of bell. 

Look ! Down the chimney, black and grim, 

Saint Nick and pack appear ; 

He one by one the stockings fills. 

Then cries, " What have we here? " 

For there, upon the mantle shelf, 

The last one in the row, 

Was hung a stocking, — oh, so big, — 

With note pinned to the toe. 

" What's this? " cried Santa with a laugh, 

" Shall I this note unpin? 

' To Santa, from the North Pole.' 
Yes, yes ; I'll peep within." 



[28] 



And as he read his eyes grew bright ; 

He smiled and bobbed his head, 

For in that note pinned to the toe 

This brief request he read: 

" Dear Santa, will you kindly fill 

This stocking for the poor, 

And give us less this Christmas tide? 

Signed, Willie and Fred Moore." 

" Ho ! Ho ! " said Santa, with a smile, 
" Kind little folks live here ; 
This stocking will I fill to top 
With merry Christmas cheer; 
A happy Christmas will I leave 
To these dear boys, be sure. 
Who 'mid their joy did not forget 
A stocking for the poor." 



[29] 



SANTA'S TELEPHONE MESSAGE 

Hello! Yes, North Pole 181. 
You wish to speak to me? 
To tell Old Santa what you hope 
To find upon your tree? 

In Philadelphia, did you say? 
Upon the Delaware? 
You're sure I will no trouble have 
To drive my reindeer there. 

Ah ! Frankie Hudson is your name, 
Your age is eight plus three: 
Just hold the wire a moment, Frank, 
Till Conduct Book I see. 

Hello ! I find your record good ; 
Put on your cap and think 
Of all you want ; my clerk is here, 
Who'll write the list in ink. 

A bat, a ball, a punching bag, 
An engine run by gas, 
A bike, a book, — hold on, my boy ; 
You're talking much too fast. 

An aeroplane, a top, a sled, 
A pair of gloves, a tie; 
You hope I'll not forget to bring 
Some puppy cake for Sly. 
[30] 



What ! So you have a sister, too, 
Who wishes many things ; 
She wants a dress, a broom, a stove, 
A teaset and a ring. 

A doll that ope's and shuts her eyes, 
A tippet and a mufF. 
My, Frank, instead of stockings, leave 
A trunk to hold the stuff. 

By auto, aeroplane, or sled. 
On Xmas eve I'll come. 
Good-bye; the calls are coming fast 
For North Pole 181. 



[31] 



CLOVER 

Pretty clover red and white, 
Nodding in the sunshine bright, 
All among the grasses fair. 
Giving perfume to the air. 
Honey bee loves clover gay, 
Which she visits day by day, 
For nice honey sweet to sup 
From the tiny clover's cup. 



[32] 



WINTER 

Here comes old Winter, cold and grim, 
With his coat of snowflakes white, 
With breath so cold he brings a chill. 
With his beard of ice so bright. 

His coat he gives a hearty shake. 
And covers the earth with white ; 
On lake and stream he blows his breath. 
Which he turns to ice so bright. 

Oh, how the boys and girls hurrah 
When he shakes his coat of snow ; 
They know there's lots of fun for them. 
And away for sleds they go. 

Besides, old Winter always brings 
St. Nicholas kind, you know, 
With merry Christmas and good cheer 
To the people here below. 



[33] 



JACK FROST 

Who makes our Tommy's nose so red? 
Nips his hands if he draws his sled? 
Bites his toes when he goes to bed ? 
Jack Frost. 

Who paints his cheeks and nips his ears? 
Who from his eyes draws big round tears? 
Who comes to see us every year? 
Jack Frost. 

Who covers window panes at night 
With picture castles all in white, 
But always keeps quite out of sight? 
Jack Frost. 

Who spreads the walk with ice like glass, 
O'er which our Tommy has to pass? 
Who chains the ponds so hard and fast? 
Jack Frost. 

Whom do the boys all love to greet 
As he comes creeping down the street? 
They know his coming means a treat. 
Jack Frost. 

And who skips up the chimney wide 
To find a place in which to hide 
When we sit round the fireside 
Jack Frost. 
[34] 



THE RAINDROPS 

Hear the falling raindrops 
Patter on the ground, — 
Merry, dancing raindrops, 
From the sky sent down 
To refresh the flowers, 
Trees, and shrubs, and grain ; 
Oh, we should be thankful 
For the merry rain. 

Pattering on the sidewalk. 
Splashing on the pane. 
Hear it on the roof top, — 
Merry, merry rain. 
Making fresh the grasses. 
Helping springs to fill 
So the rushing river 
Can turn watermill. 

Yes, you useful raindrops. 
Coming from the sky. 
Harbingers of plenty 
Sent by God on high. 
How I love to see you 
Splash upon the pane. 
Hear your merry patter, — 
Pleasant, tuneful rain. 



[35] 



SUNBEAMS 

See the merry sunbeams, 
Dancing on the grass, 
Kissing shrub and flower 
As they quickly pass, 
Lighting up dark comers. 
Making them so bright, 
Going hither, thither. 
Bringing warmth and light. 

Dancing for the baby 
On the nurs'ry wall. 
How he often wonders 
Why they never fall; 
Then to field and meadow 
See them speed away. 
Spreading joy and gladness, 
Making bright the day. 

Happy little sunbeams, 
^lay I be like thee. 
Bringing life and gladness 
Where I chance to be. 
Doing deeds of kindness, 
Loving, gentle, free; 
Yes, dear little sunbeams. 
May I be like thee. 



[36] 



THE SUN'S CHILDREN 

Father Sun in his bed one morning awoke ; 
He peeped o'er the edge; to his children thus 

spoke : 
" Come, come, merry sunbeams, wake up and 

away, 
You in your snug cradle must no longer stay ; 
There's work for you all in the day just begun. 
Awake, little sunbeams ; 3^our father says. 



" Go ; speed over mountain, hill, valley, and 

plain. 
And tell all the people that morn's come again ; 
Then off on the tip of a cloud you must go. 
Wake bird, tree, and flower on earth there 

below. 
Oh, yes; there is work in the day just begun; 
Wake up, little sunbeams, dear sunbeams, come, 



Up jumped little sunbeams and hastened away, 
All dancing and prancing so happy were they, 
To wake up the flowers, the birds, and the trees, 
The ants, the gay flies, and the sweet honey 

bees. 
The sunbeams were busy now day had begun. 
As bird, bee, and blossom they kissed one by 

one. 



[37] 



They sped to a bed of sweet violets blue, 
All dancing and prancing and kissing them, too ; 
Then off to a daisy that slept 'neath a wall, — 
They touched her white petals and gaily did 

call, 
" Wake, wake, little daisy ; the day has begun ! 
It is time to awake ; the sunbeams say, ' Come.' " 

All day the dear sunbeams were happy and 

bright. 
And whatever they did, they did with their 

might, 
Until Father Sun called his sunbeams to rest, 
And put them to sleep on the clouds in the 

west. 
For work of the day they had very well done. 
So to bed and to rest he bade sunbeams to come. 



[88] 



THE RAINDROP STORY 

A RAINDROP, coming from the sky, 

Upon a flower fell, 
And to the modest little plant 

This story it did tell: 

" My home, sweet flower, was in the ground, 
Down deep in Mother Earth, 

Where there, with many drops like me, 
A spring was given birth. 

" Then over rocks, down mountain side. 
The spring its slow way took. 

Trickling o'er pebbles, fern, and moss. 
To join a noisy brook. 

" The brook to river swiftly sped, 

And did not stop to play, 
For to its home in ocean deep 

It had to haste away. 

" And when upon the ocean's breast 
The raindrops thought to rest, 

A sunbeam came from Father Sun 
And brought them this request: 

" ' Dear raindrops, come to Cloudland, please ; 
Come up the ladder bright 
Which out of sunbeams has been formed 
To take you to that height.' 
[39] 



" Away to Cloudland raindrops sped 
At call of Father Sun, 

Who, in refreshing showers, to earth 
Sent raindrops one by one." 



[40] 



THE STARS 

When the sun sinks in the west 
And the lambkins go to rest, 
One by one the stars appear, 
Twinkling in the sky so clear; 

Peeping with its little eye 
In the river running by ; 
Seeing each its face so fair. 
Shining like a diamond there ; 

Twinkling in the heavens bright ; 
Giving out its tiny light; 
Keeping watch o'er baby sweet 
As in bed he lies asleep. 

All night long in the blue sky 
Shines each star with gleaming eye, 
Giving forth its golden light. 
Helping make the sky so bright. 



[41] 



THE MOONBEAMS 

O LOVELY moon, so clear and bright, 
Hung in the sky above. 
Are you a silver messenger 
To tell us of God's love, 

How, when at eve the glorious sun 
Sinks slowly to his bed, 
God hangs you in the sky so blue. 
Your silver light to shed? 

You paint the night scenes with a skill, 
A touch almost divine; 
Your colors are of silver sheen, 
Spoiled not by tide nor time. 

You turn the laughing rivulet 
To silver on your way; 
The billows of the ocean grand 
You changed to gleaming spray. 

And oft you soothe the weary ones 
With beauty calm and bright. 
And make them think of heaven above, 
Where there is never night. 

And when into the west you sink. 
Your nightly mission o'er. 
We feel as if a messenger 
Had come from heaven's shore. 
[42] 



We feel as if you had been sent 

To cheer the weak and worn 

With thoughts of love, and words of hope 

And peace for those who mourn. 



[43] 



EASTER 

God sent an angel at the dawn 

To where the Saviour lay, 

And bade Him from the sepulchre 

The stone to roll away. 

Christ rose that blessed Easter mom 

Out of the grave so drear, 

Flung open wide the gates of death. 

Took from the tomb all fear. 

Christ gave His precious life for us, 

And on the cross He died. 

That He might burst the powers of hell 

And open heaven wide. 

O grave, where is thy victory now ; 

O Death, where now thy sting? 

Christ vanquished both that Easter morn 

When He arose, our King. 



[44f] 



REST 

O MY brother, are you weary, 
Tired of this world below; 
Do you long for rest and quiet. 
Far from trouble, care, and woe? 
Do the cares of life oppress you? 
Are your burdens hard to bear? 
Jesus said, " Come, all ye weary, 
And I will your burdens share." 

Do the cruel pains of sickness 
Rack your body frail and weak? 
Cast your pains and ills on Jesus, 
For He told you Him to seek. 
When by Galilee's calm waters, 
Said He to laden and oppressed, 
" Come to me, all ye a-weary ; 
Come, and I will give you rest." 



[45] 



